The Philadelphia 76ers are going into Monday looking for their first win of the season, but it’s going to be difficult facing off against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Injuries have been the theme all season for the Sixers, but luckily things are finally looking up. Robert Covington was announced to have practiced at 80% on Sunday, and to be probable for the game.
The Sixers have two shots at beating the Cavs this week, as they play them again on Friday. Here’s all the news you need to know.
Robert Covington probable against Cleveland Cavaliers — John Finger, CSNPhilly.com
"Out since the preseason finale with a strained knee and bone bruise, Covington practiced 80 percent Sunday at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and if he is able to play against Cleveland on Monday night, it will be with a minutes restriction. But Covington on a restriction is a lot better than playing without him, coach Brett Brown said. With Nik Stauskas going all out at practice for the first time since training camp Sunday, the Sixers will have two legitimate three-point threats on the floor. “This is the most shooters we’ve ever had,” Brown said. “Shooters make the game go ‘round. It’s a helluva lot easier when you can play with space.”"
Cavaliers-76ers Preview — AP via FoxSports.com
"“Kevin Love is our main focal point,” James said. “We want to get Kev to know how great he is and how good he is for our team.” The physical games may have been bigger tests for Love’s surgically repaired left shoulder, which he injured in last season’s first-round playoff series against Boston. “If it was going to go against two teams, it was going to be (the Bulls and Grizzlies),” said Love, who is averaging 19.7 points while knocking down 8 of 21 from 3-point range. “Definitely got hit, got pulled, got my arm locked a few times and I’m pretty sore, too, so it’s definitely been tested and I’m sure it will continue to be.” Cleveland is chasing its sixth win in seven meetings with Philadelphia, though the 76ers have won six of the last seven at Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers (0-2) heard a familiar sound Friday when their home crowd booed them off the court following a 99-71 loss to Utah. Philadelphia’s rebuilding era looks like it will last another season without Joel Embiid, leaving the rest of its inexperienced roster to take the lumps.”Maybe it’s going to take a little bit of time,” Nik Stauskas said. “Maybe we need to work on a few more things. But we’re relatively young and inexperienced at this point.”"
Criticism Won’t Stop Coming Sixers’ Way Anytime Soon — Keith Pompey, Philadelphia Inquirer
"The latest criticism came last week, when the team picked up the third-year option on Joel Embiid despite the uncertainty surrounding his career. He had bone-graft surgery to repair the navicular bone in his right foot in August, and the 7-foot center will miss the entire season. The former Kansas standout was selected third in the 2014 draft and missed what would have been his rookie season after undergoing surgery in June 2014 to repair a stress fracture in the same bone. A setback in his recovery led to the second operation. But the Sixers remain committed to Embiid, because they think, when healthy, he’ll be one of the keys to their long-term success. They’ll also tell you the moves that are being criticized could enable them to have up to four first-round picks in the 2016 draft. The Sixers have been vocal about their quest to build a winner through the draft. So they are going to brace for the criticism they’ll receive through the inevitable lopsided losses in what will be a third-straight 60-plus-loss season."